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Watson and Crick and Good Science Writing

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By Gail F 548 (CC)
James Dewey Watson and Francis Crick are well known for their discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. Their letter on their discovery, Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids, was published in Nature on April 25, 1953. Watson and Crick are not well known for good science writing, but their letter published in Nature could be used as a model for good science writing.

We have not reproduced their letter because we believe it is still subject to copyright law. However, if you do an Internet search for it, using the title of their letter and their names, you should be able to find a legal copy. We suggest you read their letter. As you read, we'd like you to make a list of reasons why you think the letter could be used as a model for good science writing.

Next, we would like to list our reasons for asking you to read the Watson and Crick letter.

Our reasons

  1. The number one basic rule is to use words that people will understand, and Watson and Crick have faithfully followed the basic word rule. Although their subject is difficult, Watson and Crick have made it easy to understand. Good writing, no matter how specialized the subject, is written so that it can be understood by people without specialized knowledge.
  2. The number two basic rule is to organize the writing. The letter is well organized: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The letter flows smoothly. It is cohesive, moving from one point to the next.
  3. The number three basic rule is to separate ideas into paragraphs. Each paragraph is one idea. Each sentence in the paragraph supports the paragraph's ideas. Plus, the separate paragraphs make it easier for readers to understand each idea.
  4. The number four basic rule is to use short, simple sentences. Such brief sentences help readers to understand and absorb the ideas. There are a few sentences that could be shortened in the letter. Some of the longer sentences could be broken into two sentences, but the sentences are understandable as they are written.
  5. Basic rule number five is to limit the use of abbreviations. Watson and Crick use few abbreviations. We think they avoid abbreviations because abbreviations can sometimes be confusing and make ideas more difficult. As a matter of fact, they only introduce one abbreviation, DNA.
  6. Basic rule number six is to use your own ideas. Rule number six includes the admonition to take care not to plagiarize. Do not take the ideas of others and use them as if they were your own. Watson and Crick cite the work of others and provide references.
  7. Basic rule number seven is to check and double check spelling, grammar, and word choice. Read and then reread your writing to make certain that you have corrected spelling errors, edited less than perfect grammar, and selected the most appropriate words. Their letter is not perfectly written. There are a few typos, but we imagine that this is the fault of the reproduction for the web site and not from the original.
  8. Basic rule number eight is to use resources: dictionary, thesaurus, spell checker. Resources are your helpers, your support staff. You need such help when you write. Plus, if you have people who are available to read your writing, you place yourself two steps ahead. That does not mean that you need to revise your writing if your reader has another suggestion. However, you might learn something by asking a friend or colleague to read what you have written.
  9. Basic rule number nine is to remember your audience. You need to think about who will be reading your paper. As if you were writing a personal letter to your audience, you will need to adapt your writing to your audience.
  10. Basic rule number ten is to use visual aids whenever possible and wherever appropriate. Often a visual image such as a sketch or diagram helps to clarify your message.
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By
David Dennis (CC)
Looking at the ten basic rules, we know they have little to do with Watson and Crick's brilliant discovery. The Watson-Crick letter could have been poorly written and the discovery still would have been excellent. Following the ten basic rules helped a larger audience to understand Watson and Crick's ideas. Indeed, Nature wants writing like this, writing that can be understood by many people. Writing that can be understood by only a few has much less appeal. We hope that you will remember the Aaron ten basic rules and incorporate them in your writing, science, or otherwise. When we began, we suggested that you make a list of reasons why you think the letter could be used as a model for good science writing. We wonder if you discovered our rules or if you found others.







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